The Welsh poppy (Papaver cambricum or Meconopsis cambrica) is hot on the heels of the daffodil as one of Wales’ most beloved and recognisable national flowers. It’s a colourful addition to many gardens, woodland floors and roadsides, bringing a charming vibrancy to plenty of everyday spots.
Find out all about this little plant and what makes it so special.
What Colour are Welsh Poppies?
When envisioning a poppy, many will think of the common red poppy – however, welsh poppies look a little different. They are usually a bright lemony yellow colour but can also be a a darker orange too.
Welsh Poppy Characteristics
There are a few other types of yellow and orange poppies (like the California poppy), but Welsh poppies can be recognised by their four overlapping petals and very thin stems.
The small flowers are arranged in a bowl shape with the leaves in a rosette around the base of the stem. They typically grow in damp, shaded areas like roadsides, hills and woodlands. Welsh poppies have become quite widespread, establishing themselves in new areas as garden escapees.
Are Welsh Poppies Perennial?
Perennials are plants that return each year, going dormant during the winter and emerging again in spring rather than dying like annuals. Welsh poppies are long-lived perennials, returning year after year, bringing their characteristic cheerfulness to gardens and wild environments.
When to Sow Welsh Poppy Seeds
Welsh poppy seeds are usually best sown in autumn from around late August to October. They can be planted directly where you want them to flower or started in compost trays. Poppies readily self-seed, so once they’re established, they can be enjoyed for several years to come.
Folklore Around the Welsh Poppy
Poppies in general are often associated with various folkloric traditions and have been connected to sleep, dreams and various nurturing properties. Some sources suggest that the Welsh poppy in particular is also connected to fairies and able to ward away evil.
There is also a folkloric belief that Welsh poppies are so connected to the Welsh land that they cannot flourish away from Welsh soil – perhaps now proven untrue, as Welsh poppies also natively grow quite readily in South West England and other areas of the UK!
Many other flowers and plants also hold an important place in ancient Welsh folklore as they have been connected with various superstitions and legends. For instance, the mythological figure of Blodeuwedd is a woman made out of flowers (from oak, broom and meadowsweet) who is often associated with spring and new life.
The Welsh Poppy as a Symbol
Because of its strong connection to the nation, the political party Plaid Cymru has adopted a stylised version of the flower as the party logo.
Where to See Welsh Poppies
Welsh poppies thrive in damp, shady areas and, outside of gardens, can be seen in hilly, rocky and woodland spots. The plant is quite hardy and doesn’t mind too much where it pops up, which is why you might also see it along roadsides and cracks in walls, too.
They bloom from June to August all over Wales – you’ll be sure to see more than a few when visiting, whether you’re taking a trip to Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire or anywhere else.
Naming the Welsh Poppy
Famous botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus identified the plant as a poppy in 1753, naming it Papaver cambrica. Cambria is the Latin name for Wales, quite similar to the country’s Welsh name Cymru.
Several decades later, in 1814, a French taxonomist, Louis Viguier, did further research on the poppy and concluded it was a new species, naming it Meconopsis cambrica instead.
However, more recent 21st century studies on the plant conclude that the Welsh poppy is not actually related to the Meconopsis species, instead sitting within Papaver, resulting in many sources reverting back Linnaeus’ name of Papaver cambrica.
Appreciating Nature in West Wales
If you’re a nature lover and want to immerse yourself in the Welsh landscape – poppies and all – take a look at our holiday cottages in the countryside of West Wales. With a diverse selection of stays, you’re sure to find the perfect base for all your adventures, whether you want to explore woodland trails or head to the glorious coast!
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